University of Maryland researchers have made surprising discoveries about the behavior of functionalized nanochannels, including the phenomenon of overscreening, where a negatively charged polymer layer can become positively charged due to attraction of positive ions. The team also found that increasing the electric field strength can ...
A new study by UMD-led researchers reveals that road salts and human sources are threatening the world's freshwater supplies, releasing toxic chemical cocktails that can poison drinking water and harm human health. The study calls for coordinated management and regulation to address this growing global threat.
The University of Maryland examined green infrastructure adoption in Tucson, Arizona, revealing the role of policy entrepreneurship and interest groups in its trajectory. The study found that a culture of water ethics, known as One Water, drives sustainability efforts in the city.
Global agricultural productivity has slowed by 21% since 1961 due to climate change, with the impact being more severe in warmer regions. The study finds that areas like Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean are already experiencing slower growth rates, highlighting the need for increased climate resilience.
Companies may be intentionally hiring managers with questionable ethics and narcissistic tendencies to manage earnings. Researchers found that these 'dark' personality traits are often preferred over more ethical candidates, leading to inflated earnings reports.
A UMD study found that supporting Indonesian women in conservation sciences can help tackle global biodiversity challenges. The research, which documented the motivations and challenges faced by women in this field, highlights the need for culturally appropriate training and mentorship to enable their participation.
The University of Maryland has discovered six new variants of CRISPR-Cas12a that can edit multiple sites in the genome simultaneously, enabling more efficient gene editing in plants. This breakthrough has major implications for precision breeding and increasing crop yields to feed a growing global population.
Researchers at UMD have developed a new camera allowing for the imaging of wetland soil activity in real time, enabling the calculation of iron reduction rates. This technology opens up new research avenues in soil science, providing a better understanding of wetland soil behavior and its potential applications.
The University of Maryland has co-published the first full reference genome sequence for rye in Nature Genetics. This valuable resource will help improve grain yield, disease resistance, and temperature tolerance to increase climate resilience in grain crops.
A new study led by University of Maryland researchers found that DNA from tissue samples can be used to accurately predict the age of bats in the wild. The study showed age-related changes to DNA are different between long-lived and short-lived bat species, especially near genes associated with cancer and immunity.
A University of Maryland study reveals that consumers tend to buy less fuel-efficient cars for their second vehicle after purchasing an eco-friendly vehicle, reducing the benefits of driving a fuel-efficient car. The study's findings have implications for carbon emissions and the design of programs like Cash-for-Clunkers.
Researchers at UMD are using genomic selection to identify genes that improve feed conversion in rainbow trout, leading to more efficient production and reduced waste. This work aims to address industry problems like downgrading, which affects up to 15% of filet products.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences presents a computationally-based modeling approach that simulates infant language learning. The researchers found that infants do not learn consonant- and vowel-like phonetic categories, but rather learn to distinguish between speech sounds in a more nuanced way.
A newly engineered CRISPR variant called SpRY enables targeted mutation of nearly any genomic sequence in plants, expanding genome editing capabilities and opening up new possibilities for crop improvement. This breakthrough discovery is a significant advancement in the field of plant genome editing.
A new study reveals that 6% of all global terrestrial protected areas are already made up of cropland, compromising biodiversity conservation goals. The persistence of native species in these areas is incompatible with conversion to cropland, highlighting the need for more effective conservation strategies.
Researchers at UMD developed a morphing nozzle to control fiber orientation during composite additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of materials with on-demand properties. This innovation could lead to new biomedical and defense applications for 3D printed fiber-filled composites.
A new study reveals that early doctors and scholars exaggerated historical plague outbreaks, transforming them into a massive event with catastrophic consequences. This fictional narrative has distorted our expectations of pandemics today.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have successfully grown human organs in pigs using stem cells, a breakthrough that could revolutionize organ transplantation and provide new therapeutic options for patients. This achievement marks a significant step towards solving the global organ shortage crisis.
Researchers at the University of Maryland found higher rates of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes in lower-income neighborhoods in urban Baltimore, Maryland. This preliminary data points to a need for more research to inform policy and programs that can protect the health of those most at risk.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to study brain functioning in patients with minor strokes and found diminished neural processing, indicating a disruption of network dynamics. The study suggests that post-stroke acute dysexecutive syndrome is the result of global connectivity dysfunction.
A recent study published in top journals found that noncompete agreements restrict workers' ability to switch jobs, leading to lower wages and reduced job mobility. The research also revealed that banning low-wage noncompetes leads to higher wages and increased job-to-job mobility for affected workers.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a new method for creating high-quality, high-performance solid-state electrolyte thin films. This 'printing and radiative heating' approach enables rapid production of dense and uniform films with superior ionic conductivity.
A team of researchers demonstrated that popular robotic household vacuum cleaners can be remotely hacked to record speech and music. They used signal processing and deep learning techniques to recover sound waves from the laser-based navigation system, revealing potential security risks and privacy breaches.
Researchers used a large-scale data archive of animal movement studies to find surprising patterns and associations between climate change and the behavior of golden eagles, bears, caribou, moose, and wolves. The study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of studying animal ecology on extremely large scales.
A UMD-led study finds that fear and anxiety reflect overlapping brain circuits, challenging long-held scientific accounts. The research suggests that both 'fear' and 'anxiety' are constructed in the brain using a massively overlapping set of neural building blocks.
Researchers at the University of Maryland are developing an ingestible capsule that can monitor and model gut microbiome serotonin activity. The platform provides access to the specific site of serotonin production, allowing for real-time processing and neurological effects assessment.
Researchers found X-rays continuing to radiate from the collision long after models predicted they would stop. The study suggests possible explanations for the long-lived X-ray emissions, including a new feature of the collision's afterglow or the presence of a remnant neutron star.
The study identifies four threats that affect consumer behavior, including health, economic, social, and misinformation threats. Consumers have shown adaptive responses to these challenges, such as switching to online streaming services or making their own hand sanitizer.
Researchers created an abstract language that describes protein molecules' shapes and structures, enabling predictions of their dynamics. This method uses machine learning algorithms to analyze molecular movements and provides insights into disease causes and targeted drug therapies.
Researchers at UMD have developed a technique to determine the structures of large RNA molecules, enabling understanding of their shape and interactions with other molecules. This technology could lead to targeted RNA therapeutic treatments for diseases.
A University of Maryland biologist has been awarded $1.5 million to develop new tools for studying brain mapping techniques. The project aims to create a comprehensive molecular map of synapses during development, aging, and disease, which could lead to potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders and other cognitive functions.
Researchers at UMD discovered that mosquitoes lack a critical gene for proper body segmentation, but a related gene took its place. This finding highlights the importance of caution in genetic studies and offers new potential avenues for targeted mosquito control strategies.
Researchers at the University of Maryland discovered how Zika virus hijacks cellular machinery to break down KPNA2 protein, essential for neural development and communication. This process, known as autophagy, may lead to neurological or brain deficiencies in newborns born to infected pregnant women.
Researchers found that introduced species have increased mutualistic relationships seven-fold over the past 75 years, reducing ecosystem stability. As geographic isolation breaks down, regions with distinct species combinations are linked, leading to the loss of unique co-evolutionary trajectories.
Scientists have observed the heaviest black hole merger yet, with a massive object forming through a previous merger of two smaller black holes. This discovery pushes the boundaries of our understanding of astrophysics and provides new opportunities to test Einstein's theory of general relativity.
A new study reveals a protein called OSCA1.3 forms a channel that triggers calcium entry into plant cells, triggering the closure of stomata as a defense response to pathogens. This finding is crucial for understanding plant immune mechanisms and could lead to more resilient crops.
Researchers at UMD have identified a critical role for the molecule ACC in plant reproduction and pollination, activating proteins similar to those involved in nervous system responses in humans and animals. This finding could rewrite textbooks and lead to new research on improving plant health and crop yield.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have identified the structure of blue whirls, which produce almost no soot when burning. The team discovered that vortex breakdown enables the blue-whirl structure to emerge, comprising three flames meeting in a triple flame ring.
Researchers find that a combination of subsidies, weather experience, and financial literacy leads to long-term insurance uptake. Subsidies alone have limited effect without financial education and actual payout experience.
Researchers found that psychological recovery can take place while still experiencing stressful conditions, contrary to previous research. Employees reported feeling less powerless and more authentic within two weeks of the crisis beginning.
A new study found three FDA-approved medications caused distinct physiological changes in microscopic nematode worms C. elegans, suggesting potential unrecognized effects in humans. The research highlights the need for continued evaluation of medications even after FDA approval.
A study analyzing 35 years of US agriculture data reveals a steady shift towards consolidation, with production moving to larger farms that cover almost all crop and livestock commodities. Smaller farms are becoming unsustainable, while family businesses still dominate the industry.
Researchers from UMD and international partners highlight the urgent issue of African vulture poisoning, which threatens global disease and biodiversity. A coordinated approach leveraging community engagement and pre-existing resources is recommended to maximize conservation impacts.
A new quantum sensing technique developed by researchers at the University of Maryland uses diamonds to visualize electrical currents in graphene. The technique provides detailed images of current flow, shedding light on the intricate behavior of electrons in this material.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered 37 recently active volcanic structures on Venus, suggesting the planet's interior is still churning. The study provides evidence that Venus is no longer a dormant planet and may hold clues to its geological development.
A University of Maryland researcher discovered that churning along the edge of the Gulf Stream can mix water across the current, influencing weather, climate, and fisheries. This finding has significant implications for understanding ocean circulation, biology, and potentially climate.
Researchers found that humans can complement machine learning in correcting for biases. Vintage-specific skills and domain expertise are key attributes that help humans guide machines in mitigating bias. Human collaboration improves ML productivity but its impact on long-term productivity is unclear.
Beekeepers across the US lost 43.7% of their colonies in 2019-2020, with summer losses being the highest ever recorded at 32.0%. Winter losses were lower than usual, but commercial beekeepers struggled the most due to queen health and poor management practices.
Researchers developed a new quantum sensing technique that allows high-resolution NMR spectroscopy on small molecules in dilute solution, achieving femtomole molecular sensitivity. This breakthrough enables chemical analysis and magnetic resonance imaging at the level of individual biological cells.
Researchers found echoes from features deep inside Earth, revealing more widespread and heterogeneous structures at the core-mantle boundary. The study provided a new perspective on the geologic processes happening deep inside Earth, shedding light on plate tectonics and planet evolution.